Long
Canes
Massacre
of 1760
near Troy, South
Carolina
Long Cane Creek from Patterson
Bridge -- photo
courtesy of Nancy Lindroth , 2007
Long Canes separated British South Carolina from the Cherokee Nation.
Since
this was right on the edge of civilization it was a risky place to
live. Forts were established to serve as protection for the
region. The Cherokee had been useful to the British in resting
the lands from the French control. After the French were driven
out the British started moving in. The
Cherokee Indians were probably incensed by the continued increase in
the number of settlers in the region. In 1760 they attacked
settlers as part of what
has become known as the Cherokee War of 1759-61. It was front page
headlines
and a devastating event for the settlers. The story as it was
told
in the newspaper as well as from survivor retelling has been pretty
well
developed. It seems that the Indians were striking at isolated
farms,
stealing, and slaying anyone in the way. The settlers decided to band
together
and leave the region by wagon train. They were waylaid by about
a
hundred Cherokee on their way to Augusta. Of the hundred and
fifty
settlers there may have been fewer than seventy-five adults and perhaps
forty
male defenders based on newspaper records and the sizes of typical
families.
They were probably slowed down by the wagons and overtaken by
surprise at a river fording.
Its remarkable to me that only twenty-three settlers were slain.
Several
children were slain and scalped and a few were taken as prisoner. One
very
famous case was Ann Calhoun who was taken at age five and returned
after
twelve years of living with the Indians. She later married and
had
a normal life as the wife of a settler. One of my own families, Benj.
Jones
Esq., was here with his family. His daughter (unknown name) who
had
married a Mr. Rosemond was killed in the mailaee. Apparently
about twenty-one Cherokee were also killed or wounded in the attack.
One may have been a chief of the tribe.
I am attempting to put together a complete list of the families and
individuals
that were were involved in this event. I've divided the list
into
those that had been here survived and another list of those that were
slain.
If anyone has further information on the massacre or folks who
were
here please contact me.
A South Carolina Historical Plaque to the Long
Cane
Massacre
is three miles outside of Troy, South Carolina.
[photo
courtesy
of
Nancy Lindroth 2007]
"Three miles west is the site of an attack by Cherokee
Indians
upon settlers of Long Canes in the Cherokee War of 1759-1761.
There
on February 1, 1760, about 150 settlers, refugeeing to Augusta
were
overtaken by 100 Cherokee. Twenty-three victims left on the scene
of
action were buried in a mass grave."
This path leads to the
burial place of Calhoun and Norris family members whose white markers
can be seen just to the right of the large center tree. photo courtesy of Nancy Lindroth , 2007
Andrew Pickens , age 17, Huguenot
Joseph Pickens, older brother of Andrew(see note below)
Patrick Calhoun, leader of Long Cane
Ezekiel Calhoun, the father of Rebecca
Rebecca Calhoun, dau. of Ezekiel, later wife of Andrew Pickens
William Calhoun, brother of Patrick (b 1723)
Agnes Long Calhoun, wife of William Calhoun (b1733)
Rebecca Calhoun,
Ann Calhoun, age almost 5, daughter of William Calhoun, taken
captive,
returned after 12 years)
Mary Calhoun, age almost 3, daughter of William Calhoun, later
scalped
Joseph Calhoun, son of William Calhoun, made it to safety with mother.
Richard Clark
Margaret Clark (husband killed )
Jane Clark, 6 yrs, daughter of Margaret Clark (husband killed ) missing
Mary (sister of Catherine M. Calhoun) taken prisoner and never seen
again
Mary Winifred Patrick Norris (cemetery memorial marker at
Long
Canes site, wife of John Norris, erected by son Robert Norris)(1689-1760)
Eliza Wrentz Norris(cemetery memorial marker at Long Canes site)(1726-1760)dates from Ellen Hazen
Ezekiel Norris(cemetery memorial marker at Long Canes site,)(1746-1760)dates
from
Ellen
Hazen
William Norris(cemetery memorial marker at Long Canes site)(1748-1760)dates
from
Ellen
Hazen
Sarah Norris(cemetery memorial marker at Long Canes site)(1759-1760)dates
from
Ellen
Hazen
Robert Norris, hid in the woods (see note below6/17/09)
Benjamin Jones ESQ.
Daughter of Ben Jones, wife of Rosemonds.
One child carried off and never returned. (unidentified)
Anne Calhoun ( later at age 30 married Isaac Matthews), taken captive
as
young injured child of age 6, raised by Indians, and later returned
after
12 years captivity
Long Cane Cemetery Site. markers are (l to r) for Mary Winifred Patrick
Norris,
Catherine Calhoun and several unmarked graves.
[photo
courtesy
of
Nancy Lindroth 2007]
Cathrine Calhoun's marker had been enhanced
with felt marker by someone. [photos courtesy of Nancy Lindroth]
Folks killed at Long Cane. (twenty three
total according to plaque but list is incomplete)
Catherine Montgomery Calhoun, mother of Patrick Calhoun (died among her
children)
age 76
James (maybe the son of Catherine Calhoun) killed
James' wife, killed
Kitty Calhoun, daughter of William Calhoun, tomahawked in the back of
the
head
Daughter of Ben Jones, wife of Rosemonds.
One child carried off and never returned.
Mary Winifred Patrick Norris (cemetery memorial marker at Long
Canes
site, wife of John Norris pictured in center above)(1689-1760)
Eliza Wrentz Norris(cemetery memorial marker at Long Canes site)(1726-1760)dates from Ellen Hazen
Ezekiel Norris(cemetery memorial marker at Long Canes site)(1746-1760)dates
from
Ellen
Hazen
William Norris(cemetery memorial marker at Long Canes site)(1748-1760)dates
from
Ellen
Hazen
Sarah Norris(cemetery memorial marker at Long Canes site)(1759-1760)dates
from
Ellen
Hazen
Richard Clark (buried in mass grave according to Clark relatives)
Nancy Davis Picken (See note below 6/17/09)
___________________________________________________________
The following items were printed in the South Carolina Gazette:
From Issue February 2-9, 1760:
The Long Cane Massacre
"Yesterday night the whole of the Long Cane settlers, to the number of
150
moved off with most of their effects in wagons to go towards Augusta in
Georgia
and in a few hours after their setting off, were surprised and attacked
by
about 100 Cherokees on horseback, while they were getting their wagons
out
of a boggy place.
They had amongst them 40 gunmen, who might have made a very good
defense,
but unfortunately their guns were in the wagons; the few that recovered
theirs
fought the Indians half an hour, and were at last obliged to fly. In
the
action they lost 7 wagons and 40 of their people killed or taken --
including
women and children the rest got safe to Augusta whence an express
arrived
here with the same account on Tues. morning."
From Issue February 9-16, 1760:
Many children have been found wandering in the woods, of the party that
were
attacked removing from the Long Canes settlement; one man brought no
less
than 9 of them to Augusta, which he picked up in two different parties,
some
of them terribly cut with tomahawks and left for dead, and other
scalp'd,
yet alive.
From Issue February 16-23, 1760:
PATRICK CALHOUN, one of the settlers of Long Canes attacked by
Cherokees
on the 11th informs that of 250 settlers their loss amounted to about
"50
persons, chiefly Women and Children, with 13 loaded waggons and carts;
that
he had since been at the place where the action happened, in order to
bury
the dead, and found only 20 of their bodies, most inhumanly butchered;
that
the Indians had burnt the woods all around, but had left the waggons
and
carts there empty and unhurt; and that he believes all the fighting men
would
return to and fortify the Long Cane Settlement, were part of the
Rangers
so stationed as to give them some assistance and protection."
From Issue No. 1334, March 1-8, 1760:
MISSING CHILD
MARGARET CLARK whose husband was killed with the Long Canes settlers,
seeks
her daughter, JANE CLARK, 6 yrs. who was not found dead among the dead.
Samuel Clarke <slclarke3131@earthlink.net>
Date: Sun, 25 Mar 2007
I have limited information on
the
Richard
Clark(e) family. My ancestor Richard Clarke was among those
massacred 2/1/1760 and buried in the
mass grave near Troy, SC.
According to family records, Richard
and his wife Margaret C.
(possibly a Calhoun or Colquin)
immigrated with the Calhoun family to
Philadephia in 1733 and then moved
south to Virginia and ultimately
South Carolina. Richard was survived
by children John (12), Sarah
(10), Margaret (8), and possibly
Jane (6). I believe that the three
older children settled at Beech
Island, SC, near Augusta. I am
descended from John, who is buried
in a family cemetery at Beech Island.
______________________________________
The following land records constitute
the records of owners but not necessarily residents of the Long Cane
region before the massacre. Any land record before 1760 may have
been in the area.
____________________
no date- Walter Trimble files a warrant for 200 acres in Granville Co.,
0n Long Cane Creek. [South Carolina Archives. series S213184,
vol. 11, page 80]
1758, Aug 7 - Calhoun, James.
Plat for 200 acres in Granville County. [South Carolina Archives.
series S213184, vol 6, page 383]
1758, Aug 20 - Alexander, Adam.
Plat
for
300 Acres in Granville County. [South Carolina Archives.
series S213184, vol 7, page 296]
1758, Aug 22 - Alexander, James.
Plat
for
250 acres in Granville County. [South Carolina Archives.
series S213184, vol 7, page 12]
1758, Aug 24 - Mcalpin, John.
Plat
for
250 acres in Granville County. [South Carolina Archives.
series S213184, vol 6, page 395]
1758, Aug 30 - Noble, Mary.
Plat
for
300 Acres in Granville County. [South Carolina Archives.
series S213184, vol 6, page 408]
1758, Sep 12 - McCleland,
Archibald. Plat for 400 acres in Granville County.
[South Carolina Archives. series S213184, vol 7, page 300]
1758, Sep 12 - Giles, Edward.
Plat
for
100 acres in Granville County. [South Carolina Archives.
series S213184, vol 7, page 303]
1758, Sep 19 - Swearingen, Joseph.
Land
grant
for 400 acres on Long
Cane Creek. [South Carolina Archives. series S213019, vol 8, page 406]
1758, Sep 19 - Alexander, Nathaniel.
Land
grant
for 400 acres on Long Cane Creek. [South Carolina Archives.
series S213019, vol 8, page 419]
1758, Sep 20 - Kerr, James,
Plat for 100 acres in Granville county. 1758, Sep 19 - Swearingen,
Joseph. Land grant for 400 acres on Long
Cane Creek. [South Carolina Archives. series S213184, vol 7, page 25]
1758, Oct 16 - Morris, William,
Memorial
for
350 acres on Long Cane, Granville County. [South Carolina
Archives. series S111001, vol 7, page 190]
1758, Oct 17 - Patton, Arthur.
Plat
for
250 acres in Granville County. [South Carolina Archives.
series S213184, vol 7, page 25]
1758, Nov 1 - Adie, William.
Plat for 250 acres on Long Cane. [South Carolina Archives. series
S213184, vol 7, page 10]
1758, Dec. 5 - Messer, John.
Plat for acres in Granville County. [South Carolina Archives. series
S213184, vol 7, page 13]
1758, Dec. 7 - Calhoun, Hugh.
Plat for 100 acres in Granville County. [South Carolina Archives.
series S213184, vol 7, page 3]
1758, Dec 20 - Spratt, James.
Plat
for
100 acres in Granville county. [South Carolina Archives.
series S213184, vol 7, page 26]
1758, Dec 21 - Norres, Thomas.
Plat
for
300 acres in Granville County. [South Carolina Archives.
series S213184, vol 6, page 42]
1758, Dec 27 - Ker, William.
Plat for 100 acres in Granville County. [South Carolina Archives.
series S213184, vol 6, page 421]
1758, Dec 27 - Roberts, Reuben.
Plat for 350 acres on Savannah River. [South Carolina Archives.
series S213184, vol 7, page 34]
1758, Dec 29 - McNaught, James.
Plat for 300 acres in Granville County. [South Carolina Archives.
series S213184, vol 7, page 25]
1759, Jan 4 - Logan, John.
Plat for 100 acres in Granville County. [South Carolina Archives.
series S213184, vol 7, page 1]
1759, Jan 16 - Clark, Richard.
Plat
for
250 acres in Granville County. [South Carolina Archives.
series S213184, vol 6, page 422]
1759, Jan 23 - Patton, Arthur.
Plat
for
400 acres in Granville County.
[South Carolina Archives. series S213184, vol 7, page 27]
1759, Feb 22 - Anderson, John.
Plat for 100 acres in Granville County. [South Carolina Archives.
series S213184, vol 7, page 4]
1759, Feb 23 - Anderson, Daniel.
Plat
for
200 acres in Granville County. [South Carolina Archives.
series S213184, vol 7, page 63]
1759, Feb 24 - Alexander, Zebulon.
Plat
for
200 acres in Granville County. [South Carolina Archives.
series S213184, vol 7, page 284]
1759, Feb 24 - Alexander, Aaron.
Plat
for
200 acres in Granville County. [South Carolina Archives.
series S213184, vol 7, page 286]
1759, Feb 27 - John Gilmer
files for 500 acres in Granville Co., on
Long Cane Creek. [South Carolina Archives. series S213184, vol 7, page
406]
1759, Feb 28 - Donaldson, Arthur.
Plat
for
200 acres in Granville County. [South Carolina Archives.
series S213184, vol 7, page 58]
1759, Mar 1 - Wilson, Robert.
Plat for 200 acres in Granville County. [South Carolina Archives.
series S213184, vol 7, page 299]
1759, Mar 2 - Alexander, William.
Plat for 200 acres in Granville County. [South Carolina Archives.
series S213184, vol 7, page 285]
1759, Mar 2 - Alexander, Ezekiel.
Plat
for
200 acres in Granville County. [South Carolina Archives.
series S213184, vol 7, page 286]
1759, Mar 19 - Calhoun, Ezekiel.
Memorial for two tracts on Long Cane Creek, Granville County, one for
350 acres and one for 150 acres. [South Carolina Archives. series
S111001, vol 7, page 215]
1759, Mar 19 - Calhoun, James.
Memorial for two tracts on Long Cane Creek, Granville County, one for
200 acresand one for 150 acres. [South Carolina Archives. series
S111001, vol 7, page 215]
1759, Mar 19 - Calhoun, William.
Memorial for 400 acres on Long Cane Creek, Granville County. [South
Carolina Archives. series S111001, vol 7, page 215]
1759, Mar 19 - Patton, Arthur,
Memorial for 250 acres on Long Cane Creek, Granville County. [South
Carolina Archives. series S213184, vol 7, page 215]
1759, Mar 19 - Swearingen, Joseph.
Memorial
for
400 acres on Long Cane Creek. [South Carolina
Archives. series S111001, vol 7, page 216]
1759, Mar 20- Noble, Mary.
Memorial for 300 acres on Long Cane Creek, Graville County. [South
Carolina Archives. series S111001, vol 7, page 216]
1759, Apr 7 - White, William.
Plat for 200 acres on Long Cane Creek, Granville County. [South
Carolina Archives. series S13184, vol 7, page 279]
1759, Apr 7 - Burr, William.
Plat for 100 acres in Granville County. [South Carolina Archives.
series S213184, vol 7, page 79]
1759, Apr 10 - Barr, William,
Plat for 200 acres in Granville County. [South Carolina Archives.
series S213184, vol 7, page 63]
1759, Apr 12 - Clerk, Joseph.
Plat for 200 acres in Granville County. [South Carolina Archives.
series S213184, vol 8, page 368]
1759, May 3 - Breazele, John.
Plat for 150 acres in Granville County. [South Carolina Archives.
series S213184, vol 11, page 26]
1759, June 16 - Downs, Henry.
Plat for 400 acres in Granville County. [South Carolina Archives.
series S213184, vol 7, page 88]
1759, Dec 22 - Edwards, Mathew.
Plat
for
300 acres in Granville County. [South Carolina Archives.
series S213184, vol 7, page 22]
1760, Feb 14 - A memorial is filed by Reuben
Roberts for 250 acres on Savana River. [South Carolina Archives.
series S111001, vol. 7, page 280]
1760, Feb 14 - A memorial is filed by Reuben
Roberts for 250 acres on Savana River. [South Carolina Archives.
series S213019, vol. 9, page 214]
1761, May 11 - James McCullough
files a memorial for 200 acres on Long Cane, Granville Co., [South
Carolina Archives. series S111001, vol 14, page 85]
1762, 22 Oct - A warrant for 20,500 acres is set aside for Irish
Protestants.
"Pursuant to an order by His
Excellence the Governor in found and laid out for the aim of Irish foreign Protestants from the Kingdom
of Ireland containing twenty thousand acres. That the above plat
represents Five hundred acres more which I was informed was surveyd in
differnt tracts for perons to me unknown. Some time ago situate lying
and being in Berkley County on the waters of Long Cane Saluda and
Little Rivers, Bounding to the South East Post on Lines laid out for
Archibald McDowell and par on Vacant Lands and on all the other Sides
On Vacant Land Racing such shapes forms and Marks as appears by the
above Delimited Plat.
Certified
the
2oth Day of Decr. Anno Domini 1762
Sur Genl
Office
Wm.
Jnoh
Livington
A
true
copy from the original David H.
Tollighast(Livingston), Sur. Genl. "
[South
Carolina
Archives. series S213187, vol.1, page 20)
1762, Dec 15 - A warrant is filed for a plat of 200 acres in
Granville Co. for Moses Davis
on the branch of the Savannah River called the N. W. fork of Long
Cane Creek. Certified 18th day of Decb 1762 by Pat. Calhoun. D. S.
[South
Carolina
Archives. series S213184, Vol 7, page 325]
1763, 29 June - Pat Calhoun Jr.
files a warrant for 100 acres on a branch of the Savannah River
called Long Cane. [ South Carolina Archives. Series S213184, vol
8, page 00316]
1767, June 20 - John Jones
files for a 250 acres of land in the Long Cane settlement. land located
near Joseph Moon and Ezekiel Alexander. [ South Carolina Archives.
Series S213184, vol 17, page 337]
1775, May 20th- Frederick Grimke files
for
a
Warrant on 1000 acres situate in the Long Cane Settlement in
Granville County the District of Ninety Six by Pat Calhoun D. S. land
bounded by Hough Simpson, John McCreedy, John Jones, Feline Hughes,
Hugh Simpson, John Rutledge Esqr, Giles Williams and James Averton.
[South Carolina Archives.
_____________________________________
Other coorespondents comments:
6/17/09
I am a direct descendant of the Joseph Pickens and Robert Norris
families involved in the Long Cane Massacre. Joseph Pickens
was the
older brother of Andrew.
Their mother Nancy Davis Pickens
was killed
there. Joseph said that he was so upset by the massacre that he
gave
up trying to settle in the Abbeville area and returned to the
Waxhaws. He was living there in 1781 when he joined Andrew
at the
siege of Fort Ninety-Six and was killed by a Tory.
Robert
Norris was old enough to hide in the woods during the
massacre and survived. He lost his mother, grandmother, and three
siblings.
Mary
Winifred Patrick was from Maryland as was her daughter
Eliza. I am amazed that
she was willing to accompany her daughter in
settling the SC frontier at age 70 years!
Jim Nettles netfamgen@gmail.com
204 Horse Head Point Drive
Seneca, SC 29672
sources:
Clark, Samuel - records about Richard Clark. email of 25
Mar 2007
Hazen, Ellen Z. - records and dates - Ellen@ellzwhere.com
Lindroth, Nancy- photos of Long Cane Massacre site and cemetery. ndlind@knology.net
Nettles, Jim. netfamgen@gmail.com
South Carolina Gazette, Feb., 1760
U. S. National Historical Plaque, Long Cane, Troy, South Carolina.
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